Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in South Africa
South Africa: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 55,177 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in South Africa, 1993–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of asylum in South Africa is 55,177, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 22.5% on the previous year and down 54.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in South Africa peaked at 250,000 in 1993 and was at its lowest, 6,816, in 1997.
South Africa ranks 61st of 183 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 250,000 | — |
| 1994 | 91,894 | -63.2% |
| 1995 | 101,408 | +10.4% |
| 1996 | 22,645 | -77.7% |
| 1997 | 6,816 | -69.9% |
| 1998 | 8,387 | +23.0% |
| 1999 | 14,539 | +73.4% |
| 2000 | 15,058 | +3.6% |
| 2001 | 18,594 | +23.5% |
| 2002 | 23,336 | +25.5% |
| 2003 | 26,552 | +13.8% |
| 2004 | 27,675 | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 29,716 | +7.4% |
| 2006 | 35,086 | +18.1% |
| 2007 | 36,732 | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 43,542 | +18.5% |
| 2009 | 47,972 | +10.2% |
| 2010 | 57,899 | +20.7% |
| 2011 | 57,899 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 65,225 | +12.7% |
| 2013 | 65,976 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 112,182 | +70.0% |
| 2015 | 121,635 | +8.4% |
| 2016 | 91,018 | -25.2% |
| 2017 | 88,694 | -2.6% |
| 2018 | 89,285 | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 78,395 | -12.2% |
| 2020 | 76,729 | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 75,512 | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 66,596 | -11.8% |
| 2023 | 67,145 | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 71,171 | +6.0% |
| 2025 | 55,177 | -22.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 55,177 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4,499, 12.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 55,177 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 35,241, 1.6× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | -77.7% | 101,408 | 22,645 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 70,813 | 6,816 | 250,000 | 7 |
| 2000s | 30,426 | 15,058 | 47,972 | 10 |
| 2010s | 82,821 | 57,899 | 121,635 | 10 |
| 2020s | 68,722 | 55,177 | 76,729 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum in South Africa?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in South Africa was 55,177 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 250,000 in 1993.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,816 in 1997.
- How does South Africa rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum?
- South Africa ranks 61st out of 183 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 54.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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